Piquet Jr Signs Contract to Stay at NEXTEV TCR

Championship leader Nelson Piquet Jr. has signed a deal to keep him at the NEXTEV TCR team for the next few years. This will look to secure the Brazilians place in the series, where his rivalry with Lucas di Grassi has resulted in an exciting first year as he goes into the final double-header at Battersea Park with a 17 point lead.

“I am very happy to confirm that I will be racing with NEXTEV TCR in Formula E for the foreseeable future,” said Piquet Jr.“We have had some amazing results together this season and as we build our experience together we are looking to grow as a force in this championship and be consistent championship contenders. For now our focus turns to the remainder of this season and aiming for the title.”

Team boss, Steven Lu added: “I am delighted to continue working with the most talented driver in Formula E.” He also mentioned the success he had seen from Piquet when he competed in A1 GP and thought that he would bring the maximum effort to the team.

“Nelson will also be the key to the success of our future powertrain development and industrial plan, we all believe electric cars are the future, and we are winning from the very beginning.”

Piquet had worked his way up to Formula 1 in 2008, but left a year later amid a scandal at the ING Renault F1 team. Since then he has gone on to race in NASCAR and Rallycross. Last year he even picked up a Bronze medal in Rallycross at the Summer X Games for Brazil. However; the 29 year old seems to have settled back into single seater’s.

Despite a mediocre start to the year, Piquet has not been out of the top 5 since round two at Putrajaya, he is also one of only two drivers to have won more than one race this season. The London ePrix will take place on the 27th and 28th June. All together 60 points will be available over the two days.